3.14 Pie Art Celebration

Published April 13, 2011 at 5:49 pm

Pie and pie art are two of the favorite themes that were featured at the 3.14 Pie Art Celebration in Braham in mid-March.

Pie costumes were available for guests to enjoy during the 3.14 Pie Art Celebration in Braham during mid March. This guest enjoyed both the opportunity to wear a costume, changing three times during the event, and she also enjoyed the pie refreshments. Photo by V.S. Arrowsmith

Kathy Neufeld and the Pie-Alluia Chorus premiered the newest pie song called, “A Piece of the Pie,” in which the singer seeks for an authentic life, a piece of the pie. The group also performed the “Pi Song,” which has an opening line of 3.14159, the first few digits of the never ending mathematical construct developed by Einstein. Opening music was also provided by Dolly Brown and Pat Schonhardt of Maple Ridge.

The occasion brought together all the artwork from the Permanent Pie Art Collection, which has been exhibited in a dozen downtown Braham businesses. Two artists, Barb Dreyer and Jane Rundahl, who have work in the collection, were featured presenters. They talked about how they created their pieces, what inspired them, and how their lives have been enhanced and enriched through art experiences.

Other artworks, not in the collection, but which focused on pi or pie, were also on display. This included student work from the Braham Area High School art classes and from the after-school Pie Art Scouts workshops.

An unanticipated and very welcome and emotional surprise was the announcement made by East Central Arts Council (ECAC) member Amanda Rundahl, who said that the ECAC had been seeking new office space as it has obtained its own 501(c)3 non-profit status.

The group is moving to downtown Braham, the “Homemade Pie Capital of Minnesota,” this spring. It will occupy the ground floor of the three-story yellow building across from the bank. The announcement brought loud and very enthusiastic cheers and happy tears from the audience.

Of course the evening included three varieties of Braham Pie Day pies, made by Kay Rodrigue and served by board members and volunteers. In addition there were door prize drawings, with original art as the prize.

The Permanent Pie Art Curator Patty Wagner hosted and organized the event. She thanked the ECAC for funding that made it possible to offer integrated pie and art experiential learning activities at the annual Braham Pie Day, during the winter, and culminating with the 3.14 Pie Art Celebration. It has been her job to rotate the artwork in the Permanent Pie Art Collection among downtown businesses.

The celebration was sponsored by Braham Pie Day and funded by a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council with funds provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

For more information about the 22nd annual Braham Pie Day, scheduled for Friday Aug. 5, call 320-396-4956, visit www.pieday.com or meet on Facebook. The annual meeting is Monday, April 25, 4:30 p.m. at Braham City Hall. All are welcome.